Josiah a



(No Model.)

J. A. HARD.

PENCIL SHARPENER. No. 366,661. Patented July 19,1887.

rm 2 rm J ulnmamunl j l I 9%" 1 WITNESSES: v l/Vl/E/VTOI? @M /"M v M 4- +WU 9 5 I BY MAMA If UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSIAH A. HARD, OF DENVER, COLORADO, ASSIGNOB OF ONE-HALF TO \VILLIAM B. BUNDLE, OF SAME PLACE.

PENCIL-SHARPENER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 366,661, dated July 19, 1887.

(No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSIAH A. HARD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Denver, in the county of Arapahoe and State of Colorado, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Pencil-Sharpeners, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings, in which similar letters refer to corresponding parts.

Figure 1 is a perspective View of my improved pencil-sharpener. Fig. 2 is a top or plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is a top view of the device, illustrating its use, a pencil being in position for sharpening between the cutting-jaws. Fig. l is a side elevation of the device. Fig. 5 is an end view showing the end where the pencil is inserted. Fig. 6 is a top view of the cutting-jaws, showing their beveled edge.

In the drawings, A is a thin narrow plate, to which are attached the cuttingjaws B B. These cutting-jaws occupy the position on plate A shown in the drawings, coming in contact, or nearly in contact, with each other. The portions of the cutting-jaws which come in contact, or nearly so, are provided with beveled edges B B distinctly shown in Fig. 6. These edges may be made as sharp as desired.

The part B of each cuttingjaw B is securely attached to plate A, the remaining portion of each cutting-jaw being free fromthe plate, thus allowing the cutting-jaws to open sufficiently to receive the pencil, as shown in Fig. 3.

My improved pencil-sharpener may be constructed of any suitable material, though I consider spring-steel preferablefor the cutting-jaws.

A is a small semicircular device attached to plate A, its object being to guide the penoil and retain it in position during the pro cess of sharpening.

A is a small flange turned on one extremity of plate A, its object being to prevent the pencil from passing between the cuttingjaws too far.

My improved device may be used for sharpening any and all kinds of peneils-as lead or graphite pencils, slate, chalk, &e.-the cutting jaws being formed with any desired strength and with proper elasticity.

Plate A is provided with a small hole, A", through which a screw may be placed when it is desired to hold the sharpener in position upon a desk or counter, as shown in Figs. 2 and I do not confine myself to the exact construction shown in the drawings, as ordinary mechanical skill will suggest a variety of variations without departing from my principle.

The process of sharpening a pencil with my improved device consists of passing the same between the beveled edges of the jaws B B, as shown in Fig. 3, and drawing it back, repeating the action as often as necessary, the cutting-jaws being of sufficient strength to shave the pencil whenever drawn back between their edges.

Having thus described my invention,wl.iatI claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-

1. A pencil-sharpener consisting of plate A, provided with cutting jaws B B and JOSIAH A. HARD.

In presence of FRANK N. BANcRoET, CHAS. H. Mourns. 

